Shortcut to Fabulous Party Etiquette

Happy Turkey Day All! We thought today would be an appropriate day to say thanks for reading and give you some shortcuts to fabulous party etiquette so you can say thanks to party hosts this holiday season.

There is no better way to say thank you to someone who is hosting a party than to follow some simple rules of etiquette. So here goes….

Cocktail Party Etiquette

If the party is after 7 pm, leave the kids at home unless the invitations specifically state that children are welcome. Parents seem to forget this rule of etiquette and it can often create severe anxiety and stress for a host who has planned an adult only evening and not hidden breakables and child hazards. If you can’t find a sitter, sit this one out and send your regrets to the host. If the party is before 7 pm, it is best to ask the host if it is a “family” or “kid friendly” party. DO NOT ask if you can bring your kids. That puts a host in a very awkward position.

RSVP by the date specified, and if no date is specified, at least one week before the party. This ensures that the host has enough time to plan seating, food, beverages and other logistics for guests. If you have a significant other, don’t assume the host will count them as a plus one. Specify whether your significant other is coming.

Bring the host a token of appreciation for the invitation. Even if the host tells you not to bring anything, the polite and appropriate action is to bring a small gift. Favorites of mine include candles, wine, liquor, liquid hand soap and monogrammed beverage napkins. These are all items any host could use either at the current party or for future parties. NEVER expect a host to open or use the item that you bring at the event. If you have ever thrown a party, you know how difficult it is to coordinate everything and opening your bottle of wine or serving your delectable Bundt cake may not be easy for a host when guests are present and need attention. Avoid flowers unless you know the host well and know they would appreciate them.

Greet your host/s and say thank you. Seems obvious right?! However, sometimes when people have large parties it can be difficult to find the host. The first thing I do when I get to a party is find the host, tell them I’ve brought them a little something and thank them for inviting me. I try to find the host before I leave and again say thank you.

Don’t be the last to leave. The perfect rule of thumb is when about half of the guests have left, start preparing to leave.

Be Fashionably late, but not too late. What is fashionably late anyway? If it is a formal event hosted by an organization or business, ten to fifteen minutes is fashionably late. If it is an informal event hosted by a friend or acquaintance in their home twenty to thirty minutes late is fashionably later. NEVER arrive early.

Dinner Party Etiquette

Follow Cocktail Party etiquette and add….

Call your host ahead of time and ask what you can bring. If the host tells you not to bring anything, suggest some items like beverages, appetizers or desserts. Otherwise, bring a hostess gift such as those listed above in the cocktail party etiquette section.

Never bring surprise guests. When hosting a dinner party, inordinate amounts of time and thought are often put into seating. Adding one extra person to the mix can throw an entire evening off kilter for a host.

Offer to help clean up. If you host declines at least help them clear the table and throw away any items such as paper napkins.

Don’t be more than ten minutes late to a dinner party. Your host has gone through a lot of trouble to serve a beautiful meal for you. Being late can mean cold food and a ruined dinner party.

So, get out your party dresses, follow these etiquette tips and say thanks to those who host parties with our shortcuts to fabulous party etiquette! Please join us on facebook and become a fan for the latest updates, shortcuts and info on contests and prizes!

Thank you for reading, thanks to friends, family and of course God for giving all of us life and beautiful happy moments to share with those we love.